Guyana government spending millions to improve Internet connections at public buildings

Guyana is to spend an estimated GUY$114 million (One Guyana dollar =US$0.004 cents) on installing Public Internet Access Points (PIAPs) at public buildings including government ministries in the first quarter of this year.

Presidential Advisor on eGovernment, Floyd Levi, said that the initiative will increase the opportunities and channels through which thousands of individuals will access online resources. He said it is part of the Government’s aim to reduce the digital divide and increase digital interaction with Government.

“When you get there you will have access to the Internet. … this project will be started in the first quarter of 2017 and continue to expand for the remaining of the year,” Levi said.

Additionally, the eGovernment Agency will continue to roll out the WiFi projects in schools in the first quarter of 2017.

Levi said that this project will make learning for students a lot more fun and interactive. He explained that there will be limits as to how much time students will be allowed to use a computer system to access the WiFi network.

Levi said that there is also security software in the network that will prevent students from accessing malicious content and inappropriate websites.

He said that the entire government network is filtered with the security software that will block access to harmful and inappropriate websites.

The government is expected to spend an estimated GUY$90 million to provide Information Communications Technology (ICT) access for Hinterland and remote communities throughout the country.

Levi explained that the Agency will be using a local telecommunications company and a private circuit to reach the targeted communities.

“We will be using data services that are available at the communications company to take us to those locations very quickly, so in this instance there will be no need for us to run cables to those locations,” Levi said.